Hidden Profit Killer in Your Business: Poor Communication
By: Sharee Murphy, MBA (c)
Misunderstandings don’t just create frustration — they create costly delays, duplicated work, and damaged client relationships. Poor communication is one of the fastest ways to drain profit.
Why Poor Communication Hurts the Bottom Line
Every unclear instruction or missing detail means someone spends time fixing a mistake that could have been prevented. In client-facing roles, it can even lead to lost accounts.
Real-Life Example: The Project That Never Matched the Vision
A design team kept producing work that didn’t align with client expectations. Why? No one confirmed the brief in writing. Every revision cycle cost extra hours — and extra frustration.
The Principle: Clarity Is Currency
Clear, documented communication saves money by reducing rework and aligning expectations from the start.
Quick Audit You Can Run Today
Put important details in writing.
Use consistent tools (Google Keep, email, project management) for updates.
Confirm understanding before work begins.
Encourage questions to avoid assumptions.
Takeaway
Communication is either your biggest efficiency tool or your most expensive mistake. Choose wisely.
***This article is part of our Hidden Profit Killer series — uncovering the subtle ways businesses lose money and how to stop it.***
Read the rest of the series:
Unclear Roles & Expectations
Inefficient Processes
Poor Communication
Underutilized Talent
Poor Inventory Management
Scope Creep
Ignoring Data
